SKIPPING PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17293, 17 October 1919, Page 8

SKIPPING PROSPECTS.

ANXIETY OF PRODUCERS. GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED. REPLY BY PRIME MINISTER. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER) WELLINGTON. Thursday. Shipping prospects were the subject of a deputation from the New Zealand Council of Agriculture received bv the Prime Minister this morning. Mr. G. Hunter, M.P. for Waipawa., introduced the deputation for which Sir James Wilson acted as the principal spokesman. The desire was to know, stated Sir James, what was being done to put the shipping companies on the basis of common carriers. The custom heretofore had been -that the contracts made with shipping companies restrained other companies "om entering into competition with them. That was a very unfair system, and he was not sure that it did not come under the law dealing with restraint of trade. It was a matter of vital importance, and should not be allowed to continue. This j was principally the case because it excluded any local shipping company from , entering into competition. Mr. Massey: Is that not a matter for the producers? Sir Jas. Wilson: We cannot get them to combine. Mr. Maseey : Do you suggest legislation? New Shipping Line Possible. Sir Jas. Wilson: If the present law regarding restraint of trade does not apply legislation might be as well. There is a chance of a shipping company starting in New Zealand, and the present situation would very much militate against its chances of access. It had been said that it was necessary to increase production, he continued. This would not be very much use if the shipping companies were to get the benefit. There was need for Government action. The first tiling was to communicate with the Imperial authorities and see what they, proposed to do ,in the matter of transport. They said they were going to control transport, but they had not done snvthing yet. Mr. Massey: I would not say that. Imperial Authorities' Plans. Sir Jas. Wilson: Their activity so far has been confined to inland transport. They have done nothing about overseas transport. Continuing, he suggested that the ?rst thing to' be done was to ascertain what the policy of the Imperial authorities was likely to be. If there was nothing to be got from them the ("hipping people might be approached to find what were their intentions. He did not think the people of the Dominion would object to paving fair freight rates, but they did not want to, fe at the mercy of a comviner If no satisfaction could be obtained the only solution was for the producers and the Government, or the Government alone, to charter vessefe. The feeling of the conference was that the matter was so import that Government action should be taken. Heat Export Delegates. The only other question was that of the people being sent Home to investigate the distribution of meat. They had been j selected by representatives of the meat in- j dustry and a few of the freezing com- ' panies. They would inquire into conditions, and make the resulte-of their investi- | gations known. Those selected enjoyed I the full confidence of the meat exporters. j The matter of the distribution of meat was so important that it was felt that the Government should 00-operate in the effort being made to effect an investigation. ! Mr. Massey, in reply, said that some ' very important points had been submitted. i Shipping was one of the most vital questions affecting the country. There was nothing seriously wrong at the present time, thanke to the Imperial requisition. It was to the interests of the Imperial authorities to get the produce away, and shipping was good, but it was necessary to look forward to the time v«hen the requisition would cease, and, in those circumstances, they wanted to avofd profiteering. That was to say what was wanted was that the produce should be carried at fair rates. Two Things to be Done. There were two things to be done. The first was to find out whether the Imperial authorities were going to do as they decided some time ago, and control all shipping within the Empire. It had been decided to control freights and, if necessary, to subsidise shipping lines. He did not know whether the Dominions would be called upon to help in this direction, but if so, he did not think there would be any objection. If it was found that the Imperial Government did not intend to go on it would -be advisable to communicate with the shipping people themselves. In regard to the question of bringing shipping companies under the regulations affecting common carriers, it was a thing which ought to be done. He did not know, however, whether there would be time to do it this session. On this and the Question of rebates, he would ask for the opinion of the Solicitor-General. Present Shipping Prospects. The position was that there were 13 insulated ships in New Zealand waters at the present time. There were eight more to arrive up to, and including November, and it was expected that they would load 1,827,000 carcases. He could not say at the moment how many carcases there were in store, hut the number was being reduced in a very satisfactory manner. It had been •suggested that the government should charter vessels. It was not a difficult matter to charter tramp steamers, but it was very difficult to charter insulated ships. They were few in number, and the owners were fully aware of their value. Concluding, Mr. Massey mentioned the delegation which the meat exporters proposed to send to England to investigate the -markets. Ho- said the Government would give the members of it all the assistance possible, both officially and unofficially. He knew the difficulties existing in England, and felt convinced that the delegation would return with very useful information. He thought that Sir Walter Buchanan, who had just returned from England, would agree with him. i A Difference of Opinion. Sir Walter Buchanan : I do not agree. You have a very good man in Dr. Reakes. Give him the power and the facilities, and he will do everything that is needed. Mr. Massey: Dr. Reakes is going with the others. i Sir Walter Buchanan : Leave the others at home, otherwise you will onlv "i\e warning if what vnu are about to'do. Mr. Massey: How much warning do ! you think the tradets at Home need to inform them that an investigation is gni-ic to be made 7